A few days ago he did a lot of discussion the position of the German government to want to “keep alive” the internal combustion engines even after 2035 as long as they use synthetic fuels. As we know, the European Commission intends instead to put an end to the sale of petrol and diesel models from 2035 to focus, essentially, only on electric cars. A proposal that has caused a lot of talk and that has opened various fronts within the Member States, between those who are in favor and those who want an alternative solution.
The new German position is a sort of middle ground, given that there is talk of continuing to carry on the internal combustion engines but only under a specific condition. Furthermore, the proposal also emphasizes the need for a neutral approach, to be able to take different paths to get to reduce emissions from the transport sector. Not just electric, then.
Apparently, this position was also very popular with the Italian car industry so much that ANFIA (National Association of the Automobile Industry Industry) has decided to marry her.
We welcome the new position expressed in recent days by the German government with respect to the European Commission’s proposal to ban internal combustion engines in the EU from 2035. We agree that this technology can, on the other hand, make an important contribution to the decarbonisation of mobility through the use of synthetic fuels and biofuels, as well as in supporting the need for a neutral technological approach, which leaves room for more solutions for reducing CO2 emissions, rather than focusing exclusively on the electric vehicle.
In short, the Association asks that it not focus only on the electric but that there is also room for other solutions which in any case can lead to the reduction of polluting emissions. ANFIA then adds that at the Italian level they are carrying out discussions with the competent Ministries that “they embrace a position substantially aligned with that of the industrial supply chain, also to fine-tune the industrial policies that are essential to accompany companies in the process of ecological transition“.
A dialogue, for the association, indispensable. ANFIA, then adds that it goes “in the direction of adequately managing this process also the establishment of a multi-year fund to support the reconversion of the industrial chain, provided for by the bill decree, which must be exploited to the fullest with the declination of measures to support the demand for zero and very low emissions and in support of the sustainability and competitiveness objectives of the production system“.
The Italian automotive supply chain is therefore asking for a different approach to be followed. It is worth remembering that Italy has been looking with interest at the solution of synthetic fuels for some time. One cannot fail to mention the position of the Minister of Ecological Transition, Roberto Cingolani, who has repeatedly reiterated his plan to focus on these fuels as a further way to decarbonise the transport sector.
